pdf format - McMaster University

Yunus’s Song
Ahmed and Jameela were playing with the red ball in the yard, shouting and
laughing. In one corner sat Fatima on a stool, her head over her sewing. The ball
rolled near her foot.
"Hey, Fatima!" shouted Ahmed, "Throw it back to us." Fatima didn't look
up at the children. She just kicked the ball in their general direction. Jameela
beckoned Ahmed behind the shed.
"I think she's crying," Jameela whispered.
"She cries a lot," said Ahmed. "She doesn't play with us any more, the way
she used to." Ahmed ran off toward the kitchen.
Jameela wondered what to do. She loved her quiet and gentle aunt.
Fatima used to read her stories and show her how to do grown-up things, but since
the landmine accident, Fatima was lost in sadness. She knew, too, that Fatima was
struggling with the memories of that terrible day, and sometimes she talked with
Fatima about trying to be brave enough to stare the memories down, instead of
running away from them. It was very hard.
Ahmed popped out of the kitchen door with a big copper pot on his head.
He had a wooden spoon in his hand and banged the pot loudly, marching up and
down in front of Fatima.
smile.
"Ahmed, Ahmed, what are you trying to do?" said Fatima with a little
"I'm trying to make you laugh, Fatima. You're so sad," said Ahmed,
pulling the pot over his face.
"Well, you did, you scalawag."
"Fatima, why are you crying so much?" Ahmed asked.
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